Self-closing device for windows.



v E. M. STEPHENS. SELF CLOSING DEVICE FOB. WINDOWS. APPLICATION FILED PBB.18, 1909.

Patented Au 31, 1909;

3| 2 SHBET S-SHEET 1.

E. M. STEPHENS. v SELF-OLOSING DEVICE FOR WINDOWS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 18, 1909.

Patented Aug. 31. 1909.

2 8HEETS-SHEET 2.

I ca ries.

nnwann n. s'rnrnnns, or new roan, n. r;

SELF-CLOSING DEVICE FOR WINDOWS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

\ Patented Aug. 31, 1909.

Application filed February 18, 1909. Serial No. $78,668.

To all whom it may concern:

' Be it known that I, EDWARD M. STEPHENS,

a citizen of the United States, and-a resident of Richmond Hill, in the borough of Queens,

city of New York, county of Queens, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic- Self-Closing Devices for Windows, of which the following is a specification, reference bei g had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1*is an elevation of the outside of a window provided with my invention, parts being shown broken away for greater clearness; Fig. 2 is a sectional detail View on enlarged scale taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3, viewed in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 4 is an elevation of a" detail of the upper fusible link on a still more enlarged scale; Fig. 5 is a central longitudinal section of Fig. 4:; Fig. 6 is a vertical central section on enlarged scale of the lower fusible link.

vMy invention relates particularly to that class of windows, used in so-called fireproof construction of the type known asdouble-hung? windows comprising two substantially vertically movable sashes in which each sash is counter-balancedby its own separate weight, and the frames and sashes of which are of relatively incombus tible material, for lnstance such as are known in the trade as Kalamein in which the sashes and frames are constructed ofj. wood covered by metal, ors'o-called hollow metal in which the frames and sashes are composed of metal. I

The object of my invention is to-provide means whereby the closing of windows of the class referred to may be automatically insured in the presence of high tempera- :tures, as for instance of conflagrations when itbecomes desirable to close the windows to cut oil drafts and thus prevent spread of fire, and to accomplish these objects by means more certain and invariable in operation and moresimple and economical in construction thanhcretofore.

. I attain these objects by my invention, as

follows:

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 represents one of the aforesaid double-hung windows comprising upper sash A and lower sash B mounted and vertically movable as usual in the usual frame G, the construction shown in the drawings being of the so-called hollow metal type in which the frame and sashes are composed, of metal. T0 lower sash B is secured the usual counterweight 1),

shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, by means of a flexible connection, in this instance a chain 6 movably supported in the usual manner by pulley 17 It will be observed'that b instead of being secured as usual to the top of saslr" B passes through the frame of said sash'to its point of attachment at the lower part thereof where it'is secured in any convenient manner as for instance by the screw 1)". The flexible ,connectionor chain 1) between sash B and counterweight b .is rovided with two fusible links. One of t ese 6* is of the well known type and located as shown in Fig. 3 slightly above sash B in such position asto insure its holding sash A in closed position when said link is fused as hereinafter described. The other of said fusible links 6 is locatedat the extremity of said fusible connection b and as more clearly shown in Fig. 6 passes through the sash so as to exposeits fusible part on the weather or outer side of said sash. Both of said fusible links 6*, 6?,c011s1st generally speaking of two metal members 6, 6, normally united by a part I)? composed of more fusible metal than that mentioned, as for' instance a solder fusible at agproximately say 165F. The upper sash is provided with means to connect it with the aforesaid counterweighting device of each Bbn fusion of either of said more fusible parts of the linksb, I), and in tllez present instance have shown such means as. consisting of the arm a. containing slot of thi'oughchant: b passes and d sposedandfdnnensloucd to movaldly guide sald oha1n...,It will be obsorvod triiwewr thatthe link Zi -is .[iro

chain 6 by severance of said links through fusion, engages with said arm it, thus transferring to the latter and its connected sash Atheupward pull of counterweight b. Sash A is 'provided'with a counterweighting device of similar character to that described for sash, B, that is to say a flexible member orchain a connecting said sash A with' Q counterweight a shown in dotted lines in lulu i g'Th rgitipfh of the device is as follower-Bed ead sashes A and B are norsoas to be' exposed on the indoor side of said sashes. In the event of an exterior or interior conflagration it is desirable that both sashes shouldbe' closed to obstruct passage of drafts or flames. Assuming that the sashes have been left partly open' and that the outdoor temperature is raised by an exterior fire to a point suflicient to fuse the more fusible part b of link I)- this will immediately sever connection of chain Z) with sash B. Sash B relieved of its counterweight will close by gravity. "Chain 6 will be expanded portion 6 of link to r se to closed pulled upward by its coun terweight until 12* engages against arm a of sash A whereby counterweight b is applied to sash A forcing latter osition. Thus both sashes aresimultaneous y automatically closed by release of the one'from its counter-weighting device and by transference of said counterweighting device to the other. In case of a similar rise of temperature on the inside of the sashes, the fusible link 5* being located within will be severed by fusion o its more fusible part b and with the same result as aforesaid.

Bymy invention as described I'am enabled to eifectnate promptly the automatic closing of both sashes and with I believe the least possible interference with their present conventional construction and with the least possibleaddition of extraneous devices and parts, thus effenting the desired result by the simplest possible and most certaln means and at minimum expense. It will be understoodthat in Fig. 3 the sashes, frames and other parts are indicated as broken to econo- 'mize space in drawing; also that my invention is equally applicable to the Kalamein system of construction in which the frames and sashes are of Wood covered by metal, in wlilch case itis only necessary to bore a channel fo he chain 5*" through the wooden and metal portions of the sash. I t will also be understoodthat preferably each sash, as

' side of said sash, both said parts being shown in Fig. l, is, as usual, equipped with two counterweighting devices as above described, one for each side of the sash.

My invention is not confined to the particular forms of construction shown in the drawings, pulleys, chains, fusible links, etc. as equivalents of those shown may be employed Without departing therefrom.

I am aware that single sashes have been automatically closed by devices depending upon the fusibility of portions of their counter-weighting devices,-and do not wish to be understood as broadly claiming such means for insuring the closing of a single sash, but I am not aware that in double-. hung sash or window construction means have hitherto been devised for effecting their closure by release of the one from its counten weighting device and simultaneous transference. thereof to the latter.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is the following, vi?

another counter-weight, another flexible connecticn between said last mentioned sash and said last IHGRilOllGd counter-weight, an arm carried by said upper sash and means to ,connect said arm with said first mentioned flexible connection on fusion of said more fusible part thereof.

2. In a window device, the combination of a vertically movable lower sash, a counterweight, a flexible connection between said sash and counterweight, two parts of said flexible connection the one part disposed on the weather and the other part on the indoor more fusible than adjoinin parts of said exible connection, a vertically movable upper sash, another counter-weight, another flexible connection between said last mentioned sash and said last mentioned counter-weight, an arm carried by said upper sash and means ti on nect said arm with said first mentioned flexible connection on fusion of either of said more fusible parts thereof.

8. In :L W111(l0W device, the combination of a vertically movable lower sash, a counterweight, a flexible connection between said sash and counterweight, said connection having on the outside of said sash a part more fusible than adjoining parts and on the inside and above said sash another part also more fusible than adjoining parts of said connection, a vertically movable upper sash, another counter-weight, another flexible connection between said lo st mentioned sash and said last mentioned counterweight, an arm carried by said upper sash and means to connect said arm with said first mentioned Witnesses guide therethrough saidwhain and engage with its eaid expanded portion, another counterweight, another chain, connectmg ,said last'n'ientioned sash'w ith said iiastqnem 15 tioned counterweight and means-$0 movably Support Said s f entiond hg v I DWARD M. s'rnPHENa.

PHILIP C. Peon, G. G Mnasnnns. 

